What is this tree/bush?

I`m going to throw it wide open again, by siding with Pete on the Portugese Laurel. Photinia Red Robin should be showing red young growth all through the growing season. Also, it is less likely to have red berries.:gnthb:

 

There's a Photinia red robin in a neighbour's garden that was flaming red earlier this year and is still showing some red even now (as I look at the window at it). So I don't think your mystery tree is a Photinia either.

 

I'm with Dai on this one ... I do not think it is a Photinia at all but do think it is one of the Portuguese Laurels. Do Photinias grow that tall and, as Dai says, there should be red leaves ....

Algoz66, as this very large tree is in your Surrey garden, surely you can remember if it is covered in red leaf buds in the Spring?

The Laurels always have small white flowers in the Spring. I had a huge one in Bucks.

I think this one is still open for discussion / debate ... :hehe:

 

I agree with pete and dave
First thought prunus laurecerus but that would bear white 'candlesticks' about July
so must be a portugese laurel where dropped leaves are brown with a curley edge

 

Why don't you take a piece to your local garden centre and ask them to identify it for you? Seeing it in the flesh rather than in a picture will make it very easy for them to do.

 

Good idea. Although trying to find an expert in our local garden centres is a little challenging. They all seem to just know about selling rather than the product.

 

Perhaps I can help, I was plant area manager of a large garden centre for 7 years, with total control of all things plant related.:gnthb::D. In my EXPERT opinion, it is NOT Photinia Red Robin, it IS Portugese Laurel.:gnthb::gnthb::yho::lollol::lollol:

 

Well I'm not so sure.

As i think I was the first person to post it as possibly Portuguese Laurel, I feel a little responsible for how this thread is going.
The bit that intrigues me is the leaves turning bright red before falling, does laurel do this?
Does Photinia do this?

I'm still unsure:skp:

 

The leaves of a lot of evergreens turn red before dropping off. A bit like the leaves of deciduous plants turning brown before falling off. Even Euonymus leaves turn pink over winter.

 

Algoz, can you go outside now, cut a couple of leaves off, bring them inside, take pics and post them here please? Let's clear this up - the suspense is killing me as to who is right!!

 

I will do that this weekend. Bit tied up at the moment (not literally)!

 

As requested, I am attaching 4 close up photos of the leaves. Over to you! :thumb:

 

Anyone able to help further with these new photos?

 

Can I change my mind?! I think that it is a Red Robin, only because it is so big it doesn't keep the new red growth for so long. Most of us prune our Red Robins, so that the new red growth is very evident. Looking at the leaves on the floor, I think that they are more like a Red Robin.

Can I make a suggestion, is there anyway that you can prune a bit back, and then you take photos of the new re-growth, perhaps it would be the only way to settle the argument!

Hope this Helps!

 

I still think Laurel.